Mastery Martial Arts kicks off Tomorrow Fund fundraiser
Stephanie Lemoi knows first hand just how important the award winning Tomorrow Fund is and has been through the years for children who are battling cancer.
The Johnston High School graduate, who is now finishing her post-secondary education at Rhode Island College, said Saturday: “Personally, a few of my close friends were affected by cancer at a very young age and The Tomorrow Fund was a cornerstone to their treatment process.”
Perhaps that’s why Lemoi, a one-time Homecoming Queen at JHS who works with the ministry group at Our Lady of Grace Church, has set a goal to raise $5,000 for The Tomorrow Fund.
In fact, Lemoi and Paul Parks, who are highly-skilled instructors at Mastery Martial Arts that’s located in the Burlington Plaza at 1386 Atwood Avenue in Johnston, co-hosted their first ever fundraiser Sunday in front of a large and appreciative audience that was impressed with a well-presented program and emotional speakers.
The Tomorrow Fund, in fact, was presented by Executive director Lisa Abbenante, Development Director Carla Buonaccorsi Mulhern and Cancer Survivor Ashley Zannini who Lemoi emphasized is “one of my best friends.”
“Paul and I chose to do this fundraiser for The Tomorrow Fund because we both know first hand all the amazing work the fund does for its patients,” said Lemoi. “The Fund sponsors children with cancer who are being treated in The Fund’s unit at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. The work it does is just outstanding.”
Throughout the fun and event filled fundraiser, Lemoi and Parks took time to explain The Tomorrow Fund’s overall operation and told event goers how it provides financial as well as emotional support to the children and their families who are being treated for cancer.
“Financially, the Fund takes care of things such as parking passes, meals at the hospital, and basic living needs for patients and their families,” Lemoi said while thanking many people who purchased raffle tickets Sunday. “Over the time span of a few years during treatment, this support per patient can total upwards of $10,000 and that’s why Paul and I are hosting this event today.”
“Emotionally the fund makes time spent at Hasbro as fun and light hearted as possible. They even offer a week long summer camp for all their cancer patients and there’s also a survivorship program that gives continual support when patients have finished their treatments,” Lemoi noted while preparing her Mastery Martial Arts Demonstration Team for a board breaking segment of Sunday’s event,
Although no final figures were announced, Lemoi and Parks will continue hosting such programs to reach their $5,000 goal.
Sunday, the two Mastery Martial Arts instructors, along with Miss Rhode Island Allegra Graziano, sold boards for $5 their students broke in addition to making inspirational cards for cancer patients at The Tomorrow Fund Clinic.
There were several interesting raffles, one being of the 50/50 variety, and people were impressed with each of the prizes people donated in hopes of helping Lemoi and Parks begin their fund-raising campaign on a special note.
Those who’d like to help Lemoi and Parks reach their $5,000 goal for The Tomorrow Fund may do so by calling 233-8958 or stopping by the facility to help children who can’t enjoy classes at Mastery Martial Arts because they are, at present, battling cancer.
